* Now, no need to look outward for growth; talent is recognised, trained & retained in Punjab, says Aman Arora
* Collaborations with tech giants Microsoft, IBM & NASSCOM equipping youth for global & corporate roles
Chandigarh, December 29:
In a significant move to halt the state’s talent exodus, the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, has unveiled a year (2025) of substantial achievement in job creation. Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr. Aman Arora revealed that the department’s multi-pronged strategy has yielded over thousands employment opportunities, including over 59,000 permanent government jobs since April 2022, and skill development initiatives to stop the brain drain.
Highlighting the department’s concerted efforts to ensure opportunities to state’s youth, Mr Aman Arora informed that 59,702 youth have been given permanent jobs in various government departments since April 2022. The department has actively bridged the gap with the private sector, facilitating jobs for 48,912 candidates through 959 placement camps, while 10,064 youths were set on the path to self-employment via loan camps during 2025.
The Employment Generation Minister further informed that the Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM) has trained 19,619 candidates, with placements underway. Punjab has developed own Skill Development scheme “Punjab Hunar Vikas Yojna” and collaborations with tech giants Microsoft, IBM and NASSCOM are equipping youth for global and corporate roles.
Now, Punjab youth has ample opportunities within the state’s borders, Mr. Aman Arora asserted, while stating, “Our data is the proof. We are not just promising jobs; we are systematically delivering appointment letters, skill certificates and pushing for entrepreneurship. Punjab’s youth no longer need to look outward for growth. We are building a self-reliant Punjab where talent is recognised, trained and retained.”
The state’s official portal, PGRKAM (https://punjabrozgar.org.in/), has become a game-changer in the job market, registering over 22,41,165 job seekers and 20,669 employers. The platform hosted 1,316 Job Melas, democratising access to opportunities and bridging the gap between talent and employers, he added.
In a standout achievement, Punjab’s defence training institutes have set national benchmarks. The Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFPI) saw an 82.45% NDA success rate, with 34 cadets have joined National Defence Academy (NDA)/equivalent Academies and 17 cadets commissioned as officers in the Defence Forces in 2025.
In a historic gender-parity move, Punjab launched the country’s first state-run NDA Preparatory Wing for girls at the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, training 40 young women to become commissioned officers. He further informed that 10 Lady cadets have been selected to join various Officer Training Academies, Seven Lady Cadets have been commissioned as officers. In addition, 74 lady cadets have passed the CDS/AFCAT/NDA written exams this year.
Punjab’s C-PYTE centres have trained 8017 youth for armed and paramilitary forces, with 1236 securing placements in the current fiscal. The centres offer a disciplined career path, empowering youth to serve the nation.
Underscoring the CM Mann led government’s commitment to empowering Punjab’s youth, Mr. Aman Arora stated, “Every job offered, every skill imparted and every entrepreneur created is a brick in the wall that will finally stop the drain of our most precious resource—our children’s potential.” He emphasised that the government’s efforts are creating a robust ecosystem of opportunity, offering youth a viable and aspirational future within Punjab.
